Welding Engineer

Actalent; Newton (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401(k) Match

Paid Time Off

Career Growth

Wellness Programs

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Welding Engineer for our Newton, NC operations to develop, implement, and optimize laser welding processes for production. You will partner with manufacturing to troubleshoot, define process parameters and SOPs, and drive continuous improvement through data analysis and OEE optimization.

Proven experience in automotive welding, robotics, APQP/ PFMEA, IATF compliance, and successful new product launches is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Welding, Mechanical, Manufacturing Eng or related field.
• 1+ years manufacturing or welding engineering experience.
• Experience supporting production welding operations.
• Knowledge of weld quality standards and inspection methods.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and RCA skills.
• Experience with IATF, PPAP, APQP knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize laser welding processes for production.
• Troubleshoot weld-related issues and minimize downtime.
• Establish and maintain process parameters, work instructions, and SOPs.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for weld defects and equipment failures.
• Support new product launches, including process design, equipment validation, PFMEA, and control plans.
• Work with Quality to ensure IATF and customer requirements compliance.
• Analyze production data to drive continuous improvement and OEE.

Skills

Welding Process Eng

Robotic Welding

Automotive Launch

IATF/PPAP/APQP

Data Analysis

Root Cause Analysis

Welding Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Welding/Mech/Manufacturing Eng

Tools

Fanuc/ABB/KUKA Robots

APQP Tools

Job description

Job Title

Welding Engineer

Location

Hickory NC

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize laser welding processes for production.
• Support daily manufacturing operations by troubleshooting weld-related issues and minimizing downtime.
• Establish and maintain process parameters, work instructions, and standardized operating procedures.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for weld defects, quality issues, and equipment failures.
• Support new product launches, including process design, equipment validation, APQP deliverables, PFMEA, and control plans.
• Work closely with Quality to ensure compliance with IATF and customer-specific requirements.
• Analyze production data (scrap, rework, downtime, cycle time) to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Improve welding efficiency, including cycle time reduction and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Assist in specifying, installing, and commissioning new welding equipment, tooling, and automation systems.
• Provide technical support and training to operators, technicians, and maintenance personnel.
• Collaborate with suppliers, integrators, and customers on weld process-related issues.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Job Description

• Develop, implement, and optimize laser welding processes for production.
• Support daily manufacturing operations by troubleshooting weld-related issues and minimizing downtime.
• Establish and maintain process parameters, work instructions, and standardized operating procedures.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for weld defects, quality issues, and equipment failures.
• Support new product launches, including process design, equipment validation, APQP deliverables, PFMEA, and control plans.
• Work closely with Quality to ensure compliance with IATF and customer-specific requirements.
• Analyze production data (scrap, rework, downtime, cycle time) to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Improve welding efficiency, including cycle time reduction and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Assist in specifying, installing, and commissioning new welding equipment, tooling, and automation systems.
• Provide technical support and training to operators, technicians, and maintenance personnel.
• Collaborate with suppliers, integrators, and customers on weld process-related issues.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills

• Welding Process Engineering & Troubleshooting
• Robotic Welding & Manufacturing Automation
• Automotive Manufacturing & Launch Experience
• IATF, PPAP, APQP knowledge
• Bachelor's Degree in Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience
• 1+ years of Manufacturing Engineering or Welding Engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience supporting production welding operations
• Knowledge of weld quality standards, inspection methods, and testing procedures
• Experience troubleshooting manufacturing processes and equipment
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Automotive or Tier 1 supplier experience
• Experience with robotic welding systems (Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, or similar)
• Laser welding experience
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, and SPC methodologies
• Experience supporting new product launches

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Newton, NC.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $85000.00 - $125000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance and Disability Coverage
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Additional Company-Sponsored Retirement Contributions
• Health & Wellness Programs
• Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Resources
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Professional Development and Career Growth Programs
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Inclusion Initiatives
• Community Involvement and Volunteer Opportunities
• Internal Advancement Opportunities Across a Global Organization

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Newton,NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 23, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.